Chochin paper lanterns by night in Osaka, Japan, 2018

Chochin (meaning “bucket light”) are cylindrical lanterns made of paper stretched over a split bamboo frame. They have been crafted in Japan as far back as 1085.

Traditional chochin can be folded flat for storage. In Japan modern times, they are now used only for decorative purpose and range from fine crafts to cheap plastic trinkets. Chochin are particularly associated with informal Japanese pubs (izakaya).

While I believe I made this picture not far from the Fukushima station on the loop line, I couldn’t find the exact place on Google Maps. I stayed about 30 minutes, fascinated by the beauty of the chochins and just as I was about to leave, the man with his dog and his caddy appeared in front of me.